At that time, Zhu Zihao felt quite distressed.
But looking back now, if he knew it would end like this, he should have been more generous back then and supported these Martial Artists more.
After all, although these Martial Artists can be troublesome at times, they are at least from this county, and they have principles. They won’t be as greed-driven as Wei Hongbin.
Unfortunately, it’s too late to say anything now.
Zhu Chengwan, of course, knew nothing about this. Seeing his father in silent contemplation, he dared not ask further and waited patiently by his side.
After a long while, Zhu Zihao finally spoke in a heavy voice: "During this period, both you and I should swallow our pride and endure. I believe it won’t be long before a major change occurs in the city."
"By then... you must abandon all prejudice and fully cooperate. Do not act impulsively, understand?"
As he finished, Zhu Zihao raised his voice, speaking with a murderous intent.
"Yes, I will heed my father’s teachings."
Zhao Ya was unaware of these events occurring in the city.
At that moment, he was standing in the house, frowning as he pondered something.
Although it was already autumn, it was still somewhat hot inside the house.
Zhao Ya simply took off his shirt, revealing the strong muscles beneath.
His body was covered in sweat, his skin faintly red, a mark left from the circulation of Qi Blood.
During these days of intense seclusion training, Zhao Ya’s skills had made a leap forward, yet he still felt dissatisfied with himself.
Because in some aspects, he was still stuck at a bottleneck, unable to make a breakthrough.
For example, the Five Tiger Fist.
In fact, this Fist Technique has been the Martial Arts Zhao Ya practiced for the longest time, ever since his initiation.
By now, he had reached the Peak Performance realm with it, but Zhao Ya still felt it was not enough.
Because even the later learned Gale Saber Technique had already broken through the bottleneck, reaching the Returning to the Essence realm.
And upon reaching this realm, Zhao Ya felt his proficiency in Saber Techniques was not just improving, it was like being reborn.
This very change made Zhao Ya re-evaluate the Five Tiger Fist.
Indeed.
Compared to the Great Vajra Fist, this Fist Technique might seem a bit crude, even among basic Fist Techniques it was quite common.
Yet Zhao Ya knew that if he could just break through this Fist Technique, his understanding of Fist Techniques would reach a whole new realm, greatly benefiting his practice of the Great Vajra Fist as well.
After all, once Martial Arts reach a certain height, the principles are interconnected.
Moreover, once he breaks through, his combat capabilities would drastically improve.
Therefore, apart from diligently practicing other Martial Arts these days, Zhao Ya dedicated most of his time to researching the Five Tiger Fist.
But after days of intense practice, aside from gaining more understanding of the Five Tiger Fist, there was no progress, as if the 1% progress was an insurmountable chasm.
After thinking for a long time without gaining any insight, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel a bit dejected.
He sighed.
Truly, the path of Martial Dao is not simple.
Especially when breaking through bottlenecks, it often comes down to just a bit of insight.
Yet this lack of insight can make it unbearable.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ya calmed himself down.
At times like this, the more anxious you are, the more counterproductive it can be.
He opened the door, taking in a deep breath of fresh air, and stepped out into the courtyard.
Zui’Er was still in the kitchen thinking about fruit juice.
Many fallen leaves littered the yard, signaling the coming of autumn.
Zhao Ya stood under the tree, looking at the old tree planted long ago, silent.
"Oh? Ya, you’re out this early today?"
Zui’Er, seeing Zhao Ya under the tree after coming out of the kitchen, couldn’t help but express surprise.
"Yes, I encountered some issues and came out to clear my mind," Zhao Ya replied.
"Mhm, Ya, what would you like for lunch? I can make it for you," Zui’Er happily said.
"Anything is fine."
"How about fish stew? Senior Brother Xu just delivered some fresh fish this morning, and I put them in the pond."
"That works."
"Great, I’ll prepare it then."
With that, Zui’Er turned back into the kitchen, took out a kitchen knife, and headed to the pond.
There were indeed a few large fish swimming in the pond.
Zui’Er stood by the pond for a moment, then suddenly reached out, grabbed a large fish, and pulled it out of the water.
"Hehe, how was that? The White Crane Palm you taught me, I’ve been practicing it," Zui’Er joyfully asked.
Zhao Ya couldn’t help but smile and nodded, "Yes, well done. It has a few hints of the White Crane’s essence."
"Yes, I think so too. Let me tell you, Ya, when I practice this Palm Technique, I always feel like a big white crane, and a fierce one at that... Ya, what’s wrong?"
Zui’Er asked in concern upon noticing Zhao Ya’s eyes suddenly glowing brightly.
"Haha, it’s nothing, Zui’Er, you really are my lucky star."
With that, Zhao Ya rushed forward, hugged Zui’Er, and gave her a kiss, then turned and headed back inside, leaving Zui’Er standing there dumbfounded.
At this moment, Zhao Ya felt very excited.
Yes!
If the Fist Technique has already reached its peak, why not focus on capturing its essence?
You know, back when he first learned the Fist Technique, Meng Lei taught him to imagine himself as a fierce tiger descending from the mountain.
And now, having encountered so many more powerful Exotic Beasts, could he not imagine himself as an even more formidable Tiger Beast than the one descending the mountain?
The more he thought, the more feasible the idea seemed.
After returning to the room, Zhao Ya immediately began practicing.
During the Beast Tide’s assault on the city, Zhao Ya had encountered several peak Realm Tiger Beasts, so they were not unfamiliar to him.
After visualizing them briefly, Zhao Ya suddenly raised his eyes, stepped forward, and threw a punch.
The fist wind roared like a tiger, stirring the dust on the ground.
And Zhao Ya felt a mysterious sense of enlightenment, seizing upon this opportunity, he immediately practiced the subsequent routines.
Ding Eight-Step Double Pressing Fist followed by Black Tiger Leaping Gorge, White Tiger Crouching, Striped Tiger Tail Cutting...
Each move flowed seamlessly from Zhao Ya’s hands.
At this moment, Zhao Ya seemed to have transformed into a Tiger Beast of exceptional strength, overlooking the mountains, commanding the respect of all other beasts.
Finally, when he executed the last move, Tiger’s Head Snap, Zhao Ya felt the sense of enlightenment in his heart fully satisfying, leaving him exhilarated.
Simultaneously, a notification appeared before him.
[Five Tiger Fist proficiency increased by 4%, advancement successful]
[Current level: Returning to the Essence]